Analysis Of Atticus Finch In Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

After Scout confronts Atticus about “defending negros”, Atticus replies on how this decision is for his own dignity: “‘For a number of reasons’, said Atticus. ‘The main one is, if I didn’t, I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” (123; ch.9). Out of the lots of prejudice in Maycomb County, Atticus is one that looks passed race and gender. He holds equal respect for those who abide by the laws of being human. Not much of population consist of people like Atticus, who is not just fighting for Tom for the sake of the town, but for his own virtue. It takes a lot of integrity to stand up for what is right during that time and that is exactly what Atticus is making an effort to do.

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would want to have in the near future and those who interest us in a way that make us want to be a better person. They teach us more about ourselves and encourage us to make better choices. A role model is not just someone who is successful, but someone who has had similar experiences that we have had. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that Atticus Finch is a true role model. Over the course of the novel, Atticus stands up for his beliefs, respects everyone despite who they are and behaves as a true father. Atticus is truly the ideal role model.

Atticus is one of the characters who proves that courage is about thinking long and hard about what's right instead of relying on personal prejudice or gut reaction, and then doing what's right whether you win or lose. 2Throughout the whole case Atticus supported Tom Robinson; he went against the whole town just to help an innocent man. 3Atticus did everything he could do to defend Tom Robinson, but when he failed it really hurts him. When Aunt Alexandra told Atticus that he would ruin the family name, he still refused to change his mind. Throughout the whole novel Atticus still fought for what he believed in. Atticus told Jem that "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it-whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash" (page 233). Atticus stood up to Aunt

Despite living in Alabama in the 1930s, Atticus Finch expects his children to treat everyone- regardless of race or class- with respect and dignity. There are many opportunities for Jem and Scout to concede to the Southern stereotypes of the 1930s, but with the guidance of Atticus and their housekeeper, Calpurnia, the children challenge the common stereotypes of the South- with some lessons learned. These stereotypes are based principally on race and social class. Several cases of these stereotypes arise throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. Many racial and social class stereotypes come out during Tom Robinson’s trial as well as during the children’s everyday lives.

There are many people in the world with a good character. Atticus Finch, in the realistic fiction book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of those people. In Maycomb, Alabama, Atticus was a well respected lawyer and father of two children. The book shows Atticus's good character when he defends Tom Robinson, a black man, against the charge of raping a white, teenage girl. In the time the novel took place, it was a time of racial discrimination towards the black people.

What is courage? Courage can be defined as doing something that’s frightening, and strength in the face of pain or grief. In Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ Atticus Finch is a prime example of a courageous character. He displays many acts of courage throughout the book, such as taking on the Tom Robinson case, never wavering in his beliefs despite the criticism he receives, and always trying his best to help everyone in anyway that he can.

“Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (Lee 149). These words come from Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. He is offered the task to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, or leave him for another lawyer to defend his case in court. Although he knows it will put his family at risk of criticism and negativity towards the town, he boldly accepts the duty and burden of fighting for Tom Robinson. Accepting the case was not a blunder, it was a man making the correct decision by defending Tom Robinson.

For instance, Atticus talks to his brother Jack about Jem and Scout not catching “ Maycomb’s usual disease”(Pg 117). He wants them to treat people equally regardless of race . While Atticus was defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, Scout’s classmates called Atticus names. He told her to “...hold your head high and keep those fists down”(Pg.84). Atticus wanted Scout to not resort to physical confrontation and just walk away with her head held high. He wanted her to practice tolerance. Although in the end he did not free Tom, Atticus taught his kids about tolerance and courage by defending him despite Maycomb’s objections. Jem and Scout looked up to Atticus for defending

The Unshakeable Morals of Atticus Finch As Dr. Seuss once said, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus does not care what other people say and portrays strong morals. Lee proves that Atticus Finch is a man of unshakeable morals. This is demonstrated through his role as a father and lawyer.           

From this experience, Jem is able to learn that there is more to people than what they show. Atticus was honest with his actions by punishing Jem for what he did to Mrs.Dubose flowers even if Mrs.Dubose was disrespectful. Atticus also shows integrity by being honest with his kids. He believes that he should always tell children the truth. Atticus tells Uncle Jack, “ When a child asks you something, answer him for goodness’ sake.

Even when Jem destroyed Mrs. Dubose’s flowers because she insulted his father, Atticus just told his son to do the right thing and apologize and wasn’t upset about what she said. “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions” (Lee

In the section, the sharp words of Mrs.Dubose penetrate Jem’s thin skin. Mrs. Dubose’s needling words and phrases directed at Atticus such as “nigger lover” (135) and her comments about the alleged devaluation of the Finch name for “going against his raising” (135) all culminate in her remark “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (135).Invariably, Jem’s tranquil temperament yields and he goes against the grain; destroying Mrs. Dubose’s camellias (137). “You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad” (140). Atticus’s statement bolsters the importance of the life lesson of accepting and understanding others’ perspectives for the children and how it will help Jem deal with Mrs.Dubose’s taunts, and mitigate future conflicts later in the novel.

The mockingbird metaphor represents a character who is peaceful, and yet brings joy to many people with his or her actions. Atticus Finch is the best example of a mockingbird in To Kill A Mockingbird because he is polite to everybody regardless of race, very peaceful and witty, and tries to bring only good to his community. First off, Atticus demonstrates that he is polite to everyone regardless of their skin color numerous times throughout the book. He stands up for everybody and gives people the benefit of the doubt all the time. Atticus supports the black man Tom Robinson in court, despite all of the harsh comments and disapproving of the community directed toward him and his children, Jem and Scout.

An example of taking a stand would be if a lot of people are treating a person wrong and someone decides not to and sticks up for that person. Atticus Finch is a character in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Even though Atticus knows he does not have a shot of winning Tom Robinson’s case, he still does it anyway because it is the right thing to do, and he is trying to make a good example for his children. It makes sense for Atticus to take the case.

Choosing to write my poem about Atticus Finch and his views on the world at that time was not a hard decision based on how courageous he was in the novel. Even today, African-Americans are not being whipped and described as “negroes” like they were during 1619-1865 yet, there is still discrimination going on. Atticus Finch a lawyer is appointed to Tom Robinson and as he's defending him he's called a “nigger-lover” and frowned upon by all the ignorant people in the town. When he was first appointed to Tom, everyone thought because Atticus is a white man he’d automatically be on Mayella Ewell (the supposed victim’s) side. Atticus has morals and knows not attempting to clear Tom Robinson’s name would do his conscience no good. Although he knew